I need some killer ab work

S

spaceystacy

Active Member
I have been doing PH about twice a week for about 3 weeks now. I love this video, however the ab section doesn't really challenge me. I want my abs to be sore like the rest of my body, but that just isn't happening. Is there something I can do to make this section more challenging? And, for future reference, which Cathe videos have the most challenging ab sections?

Thanks,
Stacy
 
It could be that, after 3 consecutive weeks of doing one ab routine, challenging though it may have been in the beginning, you've gotten too good at that particular routine. Any of Cathe's ab segments, regardless of how long they are, are challenging, and your abbies would probably benefit from a constant variety of routines. Also, vary your foot position, between keeping them on the floor with knees bent, or placing your heels on a low platform keeping the legs somewhat longer. That makes the trunk muscles work in different ways to maintain spine stability.

annette
 
thaks for your speedy reply, annette. But that is the thing, it was never difficult for me. I have always been very strong in my abs and have always been able to do a lot of ab work without getting tired. But I will try the leg position thing you mentioned. And I would still like to know which Cathe videos you guys think have the toughest ab workout so I can spice it up a bit.
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-20-02 AT 03:38PM (Est)[/font][p]Stacy,
You might want to pick up the latest issue of Prevention Magazine or Vegetarian times. They both have articles on the (same) best exercises for abs, according to a recent test. Included are curls on a ball and the bicycle manoeuvre. Power Hour has some good, but short ab work. Just make sure you "do as Cathe says and not as she does" on the bike work (she says to do the move with both legs working simultaneously, but she doesn't show it that way. When I do it the way she SAYS to do it, I really feel the work in the abs, especially when I do the routine on top of a step (to add a bit of instability that my abs have to compensate for).
 
Hi, Stacy - Annette again -

First off, congrats that your abs are strong enough that none of the workouts are challenging to you!

I think learning stability ball ab work is a good suggestion.

Also, maybe fashion a decline bench with your step, and try to do the ab work in a decline with your head at the lower end? I'm not sure how well that will translate to the workouts that Cathe has produced, but standard curl-ups for the rectus abdominus and cross-over curl-ups and same-side curl-ups for the external and internal obliques will take on a whole new meaning!

Just another $.02

Annette
 
I would try some of the pilates tapes. Stott pilates just came out with some new ones. I think the pilates core work is the hardest ab work I have found. I always find Karen Voight's Core Essentials challenging. Also, try doing several ab workouts in a row two or three times a week. That would do it for me.

Rhonda http://www.plauder-smilies.de/bounce/pinkieone.gif[/img]
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-21-02 AT 10:59AM (Est)[/font][p]man you guys are full of ideas! Actually, annette, my husband also suggested doing ab work on a decline and that sounds like a really good idea. I guess it is true what they say: great minds think alike. Everyone has one body part that is stronger than the others and mine just happens to be my abs. Maybe someday the rest of my body will catch up!
 
It was not Core Essentials. The Karen Voight tape which gets me abs every time is YOGA SCULPT. The first twenty minutes of the tape she does plank and standing poses which will improve core strength. But then in the final 20 minutes of the tape she does abdominal and back exercises which are very challenging. This is a great tape.

Rhonda
 
Just want to let you know that Yoga Sculpt and Core Essentials are going to be on DVD for $15. Check out amazon.com. I am thinking of getting this -- Rhonda, what kind of props do you need for both of them? Thanks.

Haslina
 
I have not done core essentials for a long time because after Cathe I found it too easy. I remember a yoga mat being helpful. I cannot remember if she uses her three pound green balls, but I always used weights instead on Voight tapes.

In Yoga Sculpt you need a yoga mat and a towel to cushion your back when she does the ab work. A yoga block may be helpful for some of the standing poses. If you don't have a block a hardcover book or block of wood might do. This is really one of my favorite tapes.

Rhonda
 
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